Apparatus for nickel-plating.



BEST AVAlLABL PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905, J. W. AYLSWORTH. APPARATUS FORNICKEL PLATING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15.1903.

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Attorney BEST AVA\LABLE COP PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

J. W. AYLSWORTH. APPARATUS FOR NICKEL PLATING.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 15. 1903.

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Witnesses Inventor 251i 4% 72 W Q @MMM/ XMWC 76 4 20,

Attorney BEST AVAILABLE COP No. 781,867. I PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905. J. W.AYLSWORTH.

APPARATUS FOR NICKEL PLATING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15. 1903.

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Witnesses Inventor ,MW; J 6 2;. 9% x aim/06,1 a (/QEM M,

Attorney vBEST AVAlLABLE COP Patented. February' '7, 1905;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JONAS W. AYLSWORTH, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TO EDISONSTORAGE BATTERY CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

COMPANY, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A

APPARATUS FOR NIOKEL-PLATING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,867, dated February7, 1905. Application filed September 15,1903. Serial No. 173,221.

. To (ti/Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J ONAS W. AYLSWORTH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the countyof Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Nickel- Plating, of which the following isa description.

My invention relates to improved apparatus for nickel-plating after themanner of the process described in patent to Thomas A. Edison, No.734,522, of July 28, 1903, wherein the nickel film electrolyticallydeposited on the iron or steel surface is welded thereto by heat I 5 ina non-oxidizing atmosphere, whereby the plated coating is relieved ofany condition of tension and is practically homogeneously united tosheet, plate, or other article.

The object of my present invention is to provide an apparatus which willpermit such a process to be carried on continuously, the article orarticles being electroplated and the deposited coating beingsubsequently welded by successive automatic operations, whereby pre- 2 5viously nickel-plated articles or plated portions of the same article(when the latter is in the form of a long strip) will be subjected tothe welding operation simultaneously with the plating of successiveportions of the same ar ticle or of successive articles, all as shall bemore fully hereinafter described and claimed.

he apparatus also provides approved facilities for automatically washingthe plated articles or article (when the latter is in the 3 5 form of astrip) subsequently to the plating and previous to the heating thereof,and it also provides improved means for treating the article or articlesprevious to the plating so as to remove any film of oxid or grease,which of the deposited coating.

The apparatus also provides means for electrically heating the articlesor article for the purpose of welding the deposited coating thereon,although,obviously,and in some cases preferably, the heating maybeapplied in other ways. The deoxidizing or cleaning of the arwouldinterfere with or reduce the character ticle or articles can also beefiected by'electrically heating them in a reducing atmosphere, althoughin this respect the apparatus is susceptible of obvious modification.

1 shall select as a good illustrative embodiment of my invention, anapparatus for nickelplating, a long, very thin, finely-perforated stripof steel, which I subsequently cut up into sectionsof the requiredlength and form into pocket-sections for receiving the active materialsin the make-up of storage batteries of the Edison type, and from thisillustration the changes and modifications will be obvious to skilledpersons as will be necessary to adapt the apparatus for use inconnection with the nickel-plating of other continuous objects or ofseparate objects connected together like a chain or secured to wires orother continuous supporting and carrying devices.

' In order that the invention may be better understood, attention isdirected to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the apparatus inquestion, and in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, partlydiagrammatic; Fig. 2, a separate elevation, on an enlarged scale,showing one of the heating-chambers; Fig. 3, a cross-sectional viewthrough the heating-chamber, illustrating one of the pulleys forsupporting the strip; Fig.4, a detailed elevation of the feedingmechanism; Fig. 5, a view taken at right angles to Fig. 4. and partly inscction;

Fig. 6, asectional view of a part of the welding-chamber, showing theemployment of a contact-brush for furnishing current to the strip.

In all of the above views corresponding parts are represented by thesame numerals of reference.

The article to be plated, in the present instancealong, very thin,perforated steel strip,

is carried on a reel 1 and pas the tubular heating-char section 3thereir and bottom secwill be insulat from this heati- BEST AVAILABLECOP pipe 4, whose lower end may be immersed in a nickel solution in theplating tank or rat 5. Any suitable nickel solution may be used, such asnickel-ammonium sulfate. Nickel anodes, preferably in the form ofrectangular bars 33, are suspended from the conductors 32 along bothsides of the tank by means of hooks 34:- The conductors 32 areelectrically connected to any suitable source 30 of electromotive force.The strip forms the cathode. 1t passes back and forth overconductingpul'leys Sat the top, all connected through the conductor 7 tothe source 30, as indicated, and over insulating-pulleys 8 at thebottom, so as to be'immersed in the solution, all said pulleys beingsupported from a beam 9. The pulleys 6 and 8 may be of any suitableconstruction. From the plating'bath the strip passes over pulleys 10 10in a wash-tank 11, containing water in which the strip is washed, andthence upward through the heatingchamber 12, corresponding to theheatingchamber 2 and having a glass section 13. If desired, theextension 14 of the heatingchamber 12 may be immersed below the surfaceof the liquid in the tank 11 so as to form a seal, as will be explained;but this is not necessary and said extension may be terminated above thelevel of the liquid, as shown. From the heating-chamber 12 the strippasses over a feed-wheel 15, (see Figs. 4 and 5,) being held infrictional engagement therewith by an idler 16, actuated by aspring 17.The feed-wheel 15 is driven in any suitable wayas, for example, by aworm-gear 18 with which the worm 19 meshes, driven by pulleys 20. from asmall electric motor 21. 1 illustrate two pulleys 20 to permit differentspeeds to be secured, as will be obvious. From the feed-wheel 15 thestrip is wound on a reel 22, which may be driven automatically oroperated by hand. In order to heat the strip in the heating-cham her 2,I run the sameover pulleys 23 therein and make electric connection byconductors 24 24 with a source of supply 25, as shown, so that thecurrent will pass through the strip and heat the same, the voltage beingproperly regulated so as to give the desired heating effect. The glasssection 3 not only serves to insulate the two sections of theheating-chamber and cause the current to traverse the strip, but alsopermits the strip to be observed in the heating-chamber in order thatthe proper heating thereof may be assured. The pulleys 23 may be of anysuitable material; but I prefer to use bronze, silver-plated. The stripis heated in the ting-chamber 12 from a source of d to the two sectionsof shown, the upper h pulleys similar ating-chamber 2 provided with awhich engages the strip, so that the strip will be included in thecircuit. In this way a continuation of the lower section is provided inwhich the strip will be permittedto cool below the oxi dizingtemperature while still surrounded by.

the non-oxidizing gas-.-

It will of course be understood that instead of heating the stri p orother article electrically, as explained, the heating may be applied inother waysas, for example, by externally heating the chambers 2 and 12by a gas flame or retort.

In order to provide a reducing atmosphere in the heating-chamber 2 and anon-oxidizing atmosphere in the heating-chamber 12, I connecthydrogen-tanks 26 therewith, havingvalves 27 for regulating the flow.When the apparatus is used for the special purpose described and inconnection with the manufacture of storage batteries, a plentiful supplyof cheap hydrogen is always present, so that this gas is preferable. Itwill be understood, however, that any other reducing-gas may be used inthe chamber 2, and any other nonchambers and air or other oxidizingatmospheres will be excluded. The strip or other article or articles isor are heated in the chambers 2 and 12 electrically, as explained, or inany other suitable way. The proper connections are made at theplating-bath, so as to nickel-plate the strip as it slowly progresses 7through the same, the time thatthe strip will require to pass throughthe bath being so regulated as to permit a coating of the desiredthickness to be secured. The heatingof the strip in the chamber 2 and inthe presence of hydrogen gas effects a very perfect reduction of anyoxid or other objectionable matter, so that the strip enters theplating-bath in a thoroughly cleaned or deoxidized condition. After thestrip has been nickel-plated it passes through the wash-tank, so as tobe washed in the usual way, and then enters the heating-chamber 12, inwhich it is heated to a welding temperature, so as to causethe'nickel-plated coating to be welded thereon. After this heating thestrip while still in the non-oxidizing atmos phere is permitted to cooluntil its temperature is reduced below the oxidizing-point.

The plated and welded strip accumulates on the take-up reel 22, fromwhich it can be removed when desired, When the roll on the BESTAVAILABLE coP reel 1 has become exhausted, a fresh roll is inserted inplace, the new strip is connected to the rear end of the one progressingthrough the machine, and the operations described are maintainedindefinitely.

While I have designed my apparatus for use in the nickel-plating of anarticle or a connected series of separate articles, it will beunderstood that it may be employed in connecro tion with theelectrolytic plating of any other metal the adhesion of which or whosecharacter will be improved by subsequently subjeeting the" same to awelding temperature, whether in a non-oxidizing atmosphere or not.

I 5 It will also be evident that the continuous preliminary cleaning ofthe article or articles and the subsequent continuous electroplating ofthe same require apparatus which may be effectively used in connectionwith the plating zo of many different metals and wherein the finalwelding operation is dispensed with, and suchan apparatus I include inthe scope of my invention. Finally, it will be understood that theapparatus employed in eflecting the con- 2 5 tinuous electroplating of astrip-like article or of a connected series of separate articles may bemade use of in plating with many different metals and wherein thepreliminary cleaning and subsequent welding may be omitted, and such anapparatus I also include in the scope of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is as follows: 35. 1. In apparatus forcontinuously electro- Qplating a continuous strip-like article or a con-J nected series of separate articles, the combination with aheating-chamber through which the article or articles pass continuouslyand 4 means for heating the article or articles in said chamber in thepresence of a reducing atmosphere so as to deoxidize the article orarticles, of a plating-bath and means for passi ng the article orarticles continuously through said bath and for continuously platingametal thereon in such transit, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

2. 'In apparatus for continuously electroplating a continuous strip-likearticle or a con- 5 nected series of separate articles, the combinationwith a heating-chamber and means for electrically heating the article orarticles therein in the presence of a reducing atmosphere so as todeoxidize the article or articles,

of a plating-bath, means for continuously progressing the article orarticles 'through said bath, and means for simultaneouslyelectrolytically depositing a metal thereon in such transit,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In apparatus for continuously electroplating a continuous strip-likearticle or a connected series of separate articles, the combination witha plating-bath and means for conthe oxidizing-point while stillsurrounded by I substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

tinuously progressing the article or articles through said bath andfoizsimultaneously electrolytically plating a metal thereon, of aheating-chamber through which the article or articles continuously passafter leaving the plating-bath, and means for heating the article 7c orarticles in said chamber to a welding temperature in the presence of anon-oxidizing gas, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In apparatus for continuously electroplating a continuous strip-likearticle or a connected series of separate articles, the combination witha plating-bath and means for continuously progressing the article orarticles through said bath and for simultaneously electrolyticallyplating a metal thereon, of a heating-chamber through which the articleor articles continuously pass after leaving the plating-bath, means forheating the article or articles in said chamber to a welding temperaturein a non-oxidizing atmosphere, and an'extension of said heating-chamberin which said atmosphere is maintained and in which the article orarticles are permitted to cool below such gas, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

5. In apparatus for continuously electroplating a continuous strip-likearticle or a connected series of separate articles, the combination witha plating-bath and means for continuously progressing the article orarticles through said bath and forsimultaneously electrolyticallydepositing a metal thereon, of a heatingchamber through which thearticle or articles pass after leaving the bath, and means forelectrically heating the article or articles in said chamber to awelding temperature in the presence of a non-oxidizing atmosphere,

6. In apparatus for continuously electroplating a continuous strip-likearticle or a connected series of separate articles, the combination witha plating-bath and means for continuously progressing the article orarticles through said bath and for simultaneously electrolyticallydepositing a metal thereon, of a heating-chamber through which thearticle or articles pass after leaving the bath, means for electricallyheating the article or articles in said chamber above the weldingtemperature in the presence of a non-oxidizing atmosphere, and anextension of said heating-chamber in which the non-oxidizing gas ismaintained and in which the article or articles are permitted to coolbelow the oxidizing-point while still surrounded by such gas,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In apparatus for continuously nickelplating an iron or steel articleor articles and 5 subseq uently heating the nickel-plated coatingthereon, the combination with a plating-bath, means for progressing thearticle or articles IIO BEST AVAlLABLE cor through said bath, of aheating chamber through which the article or articles pass after leavingthe plating-bath, and means for maintaininganon-oxidizingatmosphere inthe heating-chamber, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In apparatus for continuously nickelplating an iron or steel articleor articles and subsequently heating the nickel-plated coating thereon,the combination with a plating-bath, means for progressing the articleor articles through said bath, of a heating -chamber through which thearticle or articles pass after leaving the plating-bath, means formaintaininga non-oxidizing atmosphere in the heatingchamber, and awashing-tank interposed between the plating-bath and said heating-chainber for washing the article or articles subsequently to the platingthereofand previous to the welding of the nickel coating, substantiallyas set forth.

9. In apparatus for continuously nickelplating an iron or steel articleor articles and subsequently heating the nickel-plated coating thereon,the combination with a plating-bath in which the article or articles aresuccessively plated, of a heating-chamber through which the article orarticles are passed after plating, means for electrically heating thearticle or articles in said chamber, and means for maintaining anon-oxidizing atmosphere in said heating-chamber, substantially as setforth.

10. In apparatus for continuously nickelplating an iron or steel articleor articles and subsequently heating the nickel-plated coating thereon,the combination with a plating-bath in which the article or articles aresuccessively plated, of a heating-chamber through which the article orarticles are passed after plating, means for electrically heating thearticle or articles in said chamber, means for maintaining anon-oxidizing atmosphere in said heating-chamber, and a wash-tankbetween the plating-bath and said heating-chamber, substantially as setforth.

11. In apparatus for continuously nickelplating an iron or steel articleor articles and subsequently heating the nickel-plated coating thereon,the combination with means for deoxidizing the article or articles, aplatingbath, means for progressing the article or articles through saidbath, of a heating-chamber through which the article or articles passafter leaving the plating-bath, and means for maintaining anon-oxidizing atmosphere in the heatin g-chamber, substantially as setforth.

12. In apparatus for continuously nickelplating an iron or steel articleor articles and subsequently heating the nickel-plated coating thereon,we combination with a heating-chamber containing a reducing atmospherefor heating the article or articles so as to deoxidize the same, meansfor maintaining a reducing atmosphere in said chamber, a plating-bath,means for progressing the artlcle or articles through said bath. of asecond heating-chamber through which the article or articles pass afterleaving the plating-bath, and means for V maintaining a non-oxidizingatmosphere in the second heating-chamber, substantially as set forth.

18. In apparatus for continuously nickelplating an iron or steel articleor articles and subsequently heating the nickel-plated coating thereon,the combination with a heatingchamber containing a reducing atmosphere,

means for electrically heating the article or -'ing-chamber,substantially as set forth.

14. In apparatus for nickel-plating an iron or steel strip andsubsequently welding the nickel film thereon, the combination with aplating-bath, of a series of pulleys mounted in the bath for supportingthe strip therein, a heatingchamber through which the plated strippasses, means for heating the strip in said chamber, and means formaintaining a nonoxidizing atmosphere in the heatingchamber,substantially as set forth.

15. In apparatus for nickel-plating an iron or steel strip andsubsequently welding the nickel film thereon, the combination with 'aplating-bath, of a series of pulleys mounted in the bath for supportingthe strip therein, a heating-chamber through which the plated strippasses, means for heating the strip in said chamber, means formaintaining a nonoxidizing atmosphere in the heating-chamber, awashing-tank between the plating-bath and heating-chamber, and a seriesof pulleys in said washing-tank over which the strip runs so as to bewashed therein, substantially as set forth.

16. In apparatus for nickel-plating an iron ioc IIC

or steel strip and subsequently welding the nickel film thereon, thecombination witha plating-bath, of a series of pulleys mounted in thebath for supporting the strip therein, a heating-chamber through whichthe plated strip passes, means for electrically heating the same, meansfor maintaining a reducing atmosphere in said heating-chamber, aplating-bath and series of pulleys in said bath 781,867BES-T AVAlLABLECOP 5' over which the strip runs, a second heating- This specificationsigned and witnessed this chamber for Welding the plate}? (foamingthere- 14th day of September, 1903.

on, pulleys therein over W )l0 1; 1e strip runs.

means for heating the strip in the latter cham- JONAS AYLSWORTH' her,and means for maintaining a non-oxidiz- Witnesses;

ing atmosphere therein, substantially as set FRANK L. DYER forth. 1 JOHNF. RANDOLPH.

